The idea for cool dogs-ice cream molded into the shape of a hot
dog and encased in a bun-shaped cake-came to Peter Franklin as he
prepared a hot dog for lunch one day. With his wife, Tara, 43,
helping with the marketing, Peter set to work developing the
idea.

After he patented his concept, Franklin attended the National
Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention in fall
2000, where Cool Dogs were an immediate hit.

Soon, Franklin had landed accounts with Dick's Last Resort
in Boston and grocery stores in the local area. In addition, they
are now sold at Six Flags in New England and New York's Shea
Stadium. Cool Dogs will also be appearing at Giants Stadium in New
Jersey sometime in August. Sales are expected to reach $2.5 million
this year.

"When I left [my high-tech job], everybody thought I was
out of my mind. High-tech was booming and I had to sell my stocks
to invest in this business," says Franklin, 51, a former
marketing director. But, judging from his product's popularity,
it seems Franklin has come out as top dog.

Doctor in the House

Interior decorating projects usually take weeks to complete, but
Ellen Edwards' company gives clients' homes and offices
facelifts in just one week. By integrating existing furniture and
accessories with new pieces, dull rooms are revived in just
days.

During the initial free consultation, photos are taken of every
room in need of a makeover. Edwards and fellow designer Elizabeth
Carrasco (her only employee) then spend Monday through Thursday
shopping for their one exclusive client per week, using the
pictures they've taken as a guide. Fridays are reserved for the
makeover.

A former designer for furniture retailer Ethan Allen, Edwards,
55, and Carrasco take on projects dressed in medical scrubs (an
idea Edwards took from her husband, who is in medical sales). A
branding strategy, to be sure, but the uniforms also allow them to
remain comfortable as they lift heavy furniture, place objects
d'art and hang paintings.

Designing on a budget is no problem; Edwards has worked on
projects with budgets ranging from $5,000 to $42,000. With sales
estimated to reach $250,000 this year, it's become a very
attractive business.

Lingo Lessons

As first-generation immigrants, husband and wife Vincenzo
Palladino, 37, and Christabelle Peters, 40 (who emigrated from
Italy and the United Kingdom, respectively), found teaching their
children their native tongues came naturally. But when it was time
to provide their kids with books to develop language skills, they
found out just how English-centric the U.S. book market is.

So Peters went to the Frankfurt International Book Fair,
purchased some foreign-language children's titles on credit and
started selling the books at book fairs and on their Web site
(www.thebilingualbabyco.com).

Fans of their products include immigrant parents and academics
who recognize the value of teaching children multiple languages.
Even language-immersion schools have placed orders. "Customers
are so enthusiastic, they volunteer to review books," says
Peters, who also speaks French and German as well as some Italian
and Spanish.

The line includes 250 titles in 10 languages, and year-end sales
are expected to reach $40,000. Palladino and Peters would like to
produce books on audiocassette and publish bicultural authors'
books in the United States, but for now, they'll continue to
hit book fairs and sell books online.